Thirumalai Yaatrai Sella Vendum | Thirumala | The Hill where His Name Echoes
The Ocean of Compassion, The Lord of the Seven Hills, in fact, the hills themselves have a very special place in Sri Swamiji’s heart. Bhagavan here, has incarnated as Archavatara, as Kaliyuga Pratyaksha Deivam, out of immense mercy on us, the people of Kali Yuga. Sri Swamiji, whose selfless incarnation is to shower Nama on every nook and corner of the world for the redemption of the people of the present age of Kali, has immense love towards Bhagavan’s descent as archavatara out of compassion for humankind.
Tirumala hills are part of Seshachalam Hills ranges. The hills comprise of seven peaks, representing the seven heads of Adisesha. The seven peaks are Vrushabhadri—Hill of Vrishabasura who was killed by Lord Srinivasa, Anjanadri—Hill of Hanumanji, Neeladri—Hill of Neela Devi, Garudadri—Hill of Garuda, Seshadri Hill of Adi Sesha, Narayanadri—Hill of Narayana, and Venkatadri—Hill of Venkateswara.
The temple lies on the seventh peak—Venkatadri, on the southern banks of Sri Swami Pushkarini, the holy water tank of Sri Venkateshwara Temple.
The appearance of Bhagavan’s archavatara moorthi is a wonderful charitra that Sri Swamiji sings in His kirtan ‘Putrilirundhu Thondrinaan’. To listen to the kirtan and to listen to the story of Bhagavan’s appearance, click the link below:
The garbhagriha, the sanctum sanctorum where the presiding deity Lord Venkateswara resides has a golden entrance. Bhagavan stands with four hands in different postures – one in varada hasta, one placed over thigh and other two holding the Panchajanya and the Sudarshana Chakra. Sri Mahalakshmi stayed with Him on the right side of His chest and Sri Padmavati rests on the left side.
The Ananda Nilaya Vimanam is the main gopuram constructed over the garbhagriha. This is a three-storied gopuram and has single Kalasam at its apex. It is covered with gilt copper plates and covered with a golden vase. Depictions of several deities are carved over this gopuram.
Sri Swamiji has sung several kirtans on Lord Srinivasa at Tirumala. Some are in praise, some are in prayer, some are in gratitude, while some express his longing to have darshan of Perumal. The kirtan we present here in this kshetra series, is one such.
rAgam: sahAnA thALam: Adi
pallavi
thirumalai yAtrai sella vENDum – en thirumalaiyappanai sEvikka vENDum
I desire to go on a pilgrimage to Thirumala and have darshan of the Lord of Thirumala (Lord Balaji)
anupallavi
Ezhu malaiyai kaNNAl kaNDavuDan paravasamaDaindu vizhundu vizhundu sEvitthiDuvEn
On seeing the seven hills with my eyes, I would become ecstatic and prostrate again and again
charaNam
1. malaiyai suTri suTri vandiDuvEn sudandiramAy malaiyil angumingum ODiDuvEn
I would circumambulate the mountain and run hither and thither at will.
2. ADiDuvEn pADiDuvEn vizhundu puraNDiDuvEn ellaiyillA Anandatthil thiLaitthiDuvEn
I would dance; I would sing; I would roll on the ground and revel in endless bliss
3. AnandavimAnam Anandatthai panmaDangAkkum svAmipuShkariNiyil thIrtthamADuvEn
Ananda Vimanam will multiply my bliss; I would take a holy dip in Swami Pushkarini
4. varAha bhagavAnai darishanam seydu svarNa vimAnam kaNDiDuvEn
I would have darshan of Varaha Bhagavan and behold the golden vimana.
5. gOvindanaik kaNDadum endanai izhandu kulashEkharap paDiyil nAnumE kalandiDuvEn
On seeing Govinda, I will forget myself and become one with the Kulasekhara padi.
